sepsis

[omobolanle fagbemi]

one more thing, she had bruises on her legs, why? please respond, i really need to know. thanks

[Yao Sun, MD, PhD]

"Sepsis" or infection of the newborn infant is caused by bacterial invasion of the amniotic fluid prior to birth.  This can occur because the membranes that surround the baby are not totally protective, or can occur after the membranes are ruptured.  Also, the longer the membranes are ruptured before the baby is born, the higher the risk of infection.

The infection is most often caused by normal bacterial that are present in the mother's birth canal.  The meconium that was present at the time of your baby's birth is a result of the "stress" that the baby was under because of the infection.  The bruising is most likely from blood clotting problems that can be caused by infection.

If the infection is caused by a specific type of bacteria called Group B Streptococcus, there are specific guidelines for your care that Obstetricians will follow in future pregnancies.  Pediatricians will also treat any future baby under recommended guidelines to prevent Group B Streptococcus infection.

If the infection was not caused by Group B Streptococcus, the risk of infection in future pregnancies is less clear but generally less.

[Yao Sun, MD, PhD]

The infarcts that you mentioned previously are also a result of the infection.  You can think of the infection as the "root cause" of the different organ systems having problems, and death itself is caused by organs not functioning properly.

[omobolanle fagbemi]

Thanks, It was helpful. Are you saying that the infarcts had nothing to do with the demise?